Aztecs Drop Heartbreaker in Series Finale at Air Force

USAF ACADEMY, Colo. – After a furious rally, the San Diego State let a late lead slip away as Air Force escaped with a 12-10 decision Monday in the rubber game of a Mountain West series at Erdle Field.

Trailing 9-4, the Aztecs (10-22, 6-6 MW) scored six runs on four hits and three walks in the top of the eighth to take a slim 10-9 lead, only to see the Falcons (12-19, 5-7 MW respond with three markers of their own in the bottom of the frame to vault in front for good.

SDSU threatened in the top of the ninth but stranded two runners at second and third with the potential tying runs as Air Force held on for the victory.

Earlier, the Aztecs found themselves on the wrong side of an 8-2 score after the Falcons plated three runs on just one hit in the fifth. SDSU issued four walks to the first five Falcon hitters in the frame, including a bases-loaded variety to Chase Spencer, which forced in Walker Zapp from third. After a pitching change, T.J. Ostler plated Tripp Garrish with a sacrifice fly, while Ben Niednagel followed with an RBI single to bring in Zach Peters.

Held scoreless for the previous four innings, the Aztecs finally broke their scoring drought in the sixth when Evan Sipe doubled home Nevan Noonan and Jake Jackson with two outs, trimming the deficit to 8-4. Earlier, Noonan led off with a single through the right side, while Jackson drew a walk.

Air Force answered with Peters’ leadoff home run in its half of the frame, which gave the hosts a 9-4 cushion.

Unfazed, SDSU loaded the bases against two Falcon pitchers in the eighth when Jackson smoked his fifth double of the series, while Zane Kelly and Sipe both walked.

Moments later, pinch hitter Josh Quezada reached on a fielder’s choice to plate Jackson, while Jonathan Smith soon followed with a three-run triple down the right-field line after Finley Bates drew a walk, narrowing the gap to 9-8.

Daniel Arambula then stepped to the plate and knocked in Smith with a double off Gunnar Gilmore, while Noonan followed with another double off new reliever Patrick Davidson to put the Aztecs in front, 10-9.

That lead would quickly evaporate, however, as Zapp tripled home Alex Adams and Christian Taylor in the bottom of the inning, while Luke Elmore followed with a sacrifice fly. Previously, Adams laced a single through the right side and advanced on a failed pickoff attempt, while Taylor drew a walk.

The Aztecs would not go quietly in the ninth, as Jackson led off with a walk, while Sipe was hit by a pitch after Kelly’s flyout. Both runners moved into scoring position after Davidson uncorked a wild pitch.

However, pinch hitter Cody Liscio was caught looking on a called third strike before Bates lifted a deep fly ball to the warning track in right center that was corralled by Peters, ending a day of frustration for the Scarlet and Black.

Davidson (5-1), the last of six Falcon pitchers, was credited with the victory after working the final 1 1/3 innings, while Xavier Cardenas III (0-4) was tagged with the loss after pitching the fateful eighth.

Aztec starter Garvey Rumary pitched the four innings, allowing six runs on five hits and a pair of walks before giving way to Evan Miranda following a leadoff walk in the fifth.

Both of Smith’s hits went for triples, which tied a school record. Previously, the SDSU outfielder ripped a three-bagger in the first inning and scored on Arambula’s single up the middle. After Noonan’s ensuing base hit was mishandled in right field, Arambula took third before racing home on Sammy Kahler sacrifice fly to give the visitors an early advantage.

However, Air Force plated three runs in the second on a wild pitch, Niednagel’s squeeze bunt and Adams’ RBI single to up 3-2.

The Falcons then increased their lead to 5-2 in the fifth on Niednagel’s run-scoring triple and Adams’ RBI groundout.

Niednagel tied Smith for game-high honors with three RBIs, while Noonan led all players with three hits in the loss.

UP NEXT
San Diego State returns to The Mesa for a five-game homestand this week, starting Tuesday, April 8, when it plays host to California Baptist at Tony Gwynn Stadium. First pitch is slated for 6 p.m. PT.